Distort: meaning, definitions and examples

🔀

Add to dictionary

distort

[dɪˈstɔːt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

visual information

To distort means to change something from its original, true, or natural state in a way that makes it false or different. It can refer to altering the shape, appearance, or sound of something.

Synonyms

deform, misrepresent, twist.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
distort	Used when something is altered or changed, often in a way that makes it look unnatural or incorrect, frequently used in the context of information, truth, or physical objects. The media can sometimes distort the facts The lens distorted the image
deform	Generally refers to physical changes where an object loses its regular shape or form, often used in engineering, biology, and physical descriptions. The heat caused the plastic to deform His foot was deformed due to an injury
twist	Can refer to both physical and metaphorical twisting. Often implies manipulation or alteration of shape or meaning, sometimes carries negative connotations. She twisted her ankle while running He twisted her words during the argument
misrepresent	Usually applied to the incorrect or misleading portrayal of something, often with intent to deceive. Commonly seen in legal contexts or discussions about ethics and honesty. The company was accused of misrepresenting its earnings She felt the article misrepresented her views

Examples of usage

The artist distorted the image by stretching it out of proportion.
The lens of the camera distorted the view, making everything appear curved.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

facts or information

To distort also means to twist or misrepresent facts or information, often in order to deceive or manipulate others.

Synonyms

falsify, manipulate, misinterpret.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
distort	Use when describing when something is twisted or altered, usually in a way that makes it unclear or untrue. The lenses of my glasses distort my vision. The media can sometimes distort the facts.
manipulate	Use when describing the act of skillfully controlling or influencing someone or something, often in a deceptive way. She tried to manipulate the results of the experiment. Politicians sometimes manipulate the narrative to gain support.
misinterpret	Use when talking about understanding or explaining something incorrectly. People often misinterpret his silence as being rude. The study was misinterpreted by the media.
falsify	Use when describing the action of altering information or documents with the intention to deceive. He was caught trying to falsify his grades. The company falsified financial reports to attract investors.

Examples of usage

The tabloid distorted the truth in order to sensationalize the story.
Politicians often distort statistics to support their arguments.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

sound

In audio engineering, to distort means to modify the sound signal in a way that introduces unwanted noise or alteration to the original sound.

Synonyms

clipping, corrupt, overload.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
distort	Best used when describing a change that makes something appear different from its usual shape or sound, often in a negative way. The funhouse mirror distorted my reflection, making me look taller and thinner. The politician's statements were distorted by the media.
overload	Used to describe a situation where a system or person is given too much to handle, causing it to malfunction or shut down. The electrical circuit was on the verge of overload due to too many appliances being used simultaneously. The server crashed due to an overload of incoming requests.
clipping	Commonly used in audio and video production to indicate the cutting off of a signal when it exceeds a certain level, resulting in loss of detail. There was clipping in the audio recording, making it sound harsh and distorted. You need to lower the volume to prevent clipping during the live performance.
corrupt	Often used in computing to describe data that has been altered, making it unusable or incorrect, also has negative connotations in terms of morality or integrity. The file got corrupt and I couldn't open it anymore. The politician was accused of corrupt practices.

Examples of usage

The amplifier distorted the music, resulting in a fuzzy sound.
Overdriving the microphone can cause it to distort the vocals.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'distortus', which means 'twisted out of shape'.
It entered the English language in the late Middle Ages, reflecting the period's interest in art and perception.
Related words include 'distortion' and 'distorted', used often in art and science.

Science

In physics, distortion can refer to the alteration of sound waves, often used in audio effects and music production.
Optical distortion occurs when lenses bend light in unexpected ways, greatly affecting images taken with cameras.
In climate science, models can show distorted data if not set up correctly, leading to misunderstandings of weather patterns.

Art

Distortion is a common theme in modern art, used to challenge perceptions and provoke emotional responses.
Famous artists like Pablo Picasso often distorted shapes and proportions to express deeper meanings in their work.
In photography, distortion can be used creatively to manipulate images and create surreal effects.

Psychology

The term can also apply to cognitive biases, where people's perceptions are distorted by their beliefs or emotions.
Memory distortion occurs when people remember things differently than how they actually happened, often influenced by suggestion or misinformation.
In therapy, understanding how distortion affects one’s thoughts can lead to healthier emotional responses.

Pop Culture

In movies, distortion can be used in special effects to create eerie or surreal environments, enhancing the storytelling.
Many songs use distorted sounds to create unique music styles, particularly in genres like rock and electronic.
Video games often use distortion in graphics to establish a sense of otherworldliness or challenge players' perceptions.

Translations

Translations of the word "distort" in other languages:

🇵🇹 distorcer

🇮🇳 विकृत करना

🇩🇪 verzerren

🇮🇩 mengubah

🇺🇦 спотворювати

🇵🇱 zniekształcać

🇯🇵 歪める (yugameru)

🇫🇷 déformer

🇪🇸 distorsionar

🇹🇷 çarpıtmak

🇰🇷 왜곡하다 (waegokhada)

🇸🇦 تشويه (tashwih)

🇨🇿 zkreslit

🇸🇰 zkresliť

🇨🇳 扭曲 (niǔqū)

🇸🇮 popačiti

🇮🇸 afmynda

🇰🇿 бұрмалау

🇬🇪 გადახრა (gadakhra)

🇦🇿 dəyişmək

🇲🇽 distorsionar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,244, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
14241 tagged
14242 slap
14243 tainted
14244 distort
14245 peremptory
14246 progesterone
14247 chivalry
...